2011 Resolutions:

This year, my resolutions are simpler than last. Its "U - M - O" for 2011, which stands for "Utilization, Motivation and Organization." You can take the girl out of cheerleading, but you can't take the cheerleading out of the girl...

Utilize: To make use of; turn to practical use or account

This year for the Morris family, utilization means we are moving to make better use of the things we already have at our disposal. I am freely acknowledging that our spending, whilst within our means, is getting a bit thoughtless. For instance, I am sure I have thrown away over $20 in spoiled cheese since Thanksgiving, and I know I have over a hundred dollars in unused gift cards laying about the house. I can't even contain the items I own in the house I have. Careless and poor stewardship!

Tonight I kicked off my resolution revolution by UTILIZING coupons from the Sunday paper. Specifically, I limited myself to purchasing FIVE items at the grocery store for which I had no coupons or in-store discounts.

Specifically, that amounted to: butter, a Command adhesive hook, brown rice, bananas, and Neutrogena face wipes.

After purchasing those items and then all my other, discounted, groceries, I saved $45.19. That was over 30% off my total bill! And I have a fridge full of food and two cases of Slim-Fast to show for it! Hooray!

To add to that, I learned shopping with coupons takes at least three times as long as ordinary grocery shopping, so now there is no time for loafing on the couch on grocery day...here I am, UTILIZING my time more wisely! ;) Har har har...

In all seriousness, better utilization of my time is a major Kara Morris goal for 2011. Let's be honest, I have a lot more time on my hands than a year ago...do I have much to show for it? Not really. So let's do better with that in 2011, Mrs. Morris!

Lastly, we are also increasing our utilization by starting an investment plan, making our credit cards and savings plans work harder for us, and trying utilize the clothes, shoes, and kitchen equipment we already have. AKA: Avoiding frivolous trips to the mall and making a conscious effort to pare down our junkie-status dining out habit.

It sounds like a major buzz-kill, but I'm actually very MOTIVATED to see how much we can save in 2011. Who knows, there may be a down payment on a new house in our future!

*FINGERS CROSSED!*

Next up: MOTIVATION

Christmas Decorations!

As you drive southbound on I-71 through the city, you will notice no less than FIVE Columbus skyscrapers decked out with red and green Christmas lights.

And one of those buildings would happen to be the jail!

Reason #978 that I love Columbus. And Christmas.

Back to December

I am currently listening to Taylor Swift's new album, "Speak Now". Ms. Swift has yet again compiled a magnificent collection of moments from Kara's Life ca. 1995-2005. All of the hype aside, no other artist speaks quite to me like her. I have loved Taylor Swift music and lyrics since her first, self-titled, album in 2006. I have been moved to tears upon more than once from her music. In fact, while listening to the "Fearless" album for the first time I cried TWICE on two separate occasions. In the car. I nearly had to pull over. I like to think Taylor and I would have been good friends growing up. I'm sure I could have given her plenty of material to work with.

My favorite Taylor Swift songs:

1. Fifteen (This song sums up high school in a cool 3 minutes and 30 seconds)

2. The Best Day (a tribute to her parents! If I sang or played the guitar, I would sing this to mine! Maybe I could just hum...?)

3. Teardrops on my Guitar (corny but cute!)

4. Tim McGraw (you know how a familiar song takes you back? This song explains that feeling perfectly...)

5. Fearless

6. Breathe

7. White Horse

Okay, maybe they are all my favorites...anyway, before this list gets any longer...

On the new album, I was moved again to tears by "Back to December."

"...It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you...wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine...I'd go back to December turn around and change my own mind...I go back to December all the time..."

I know that there are times in my life when I could have sang this song to about 3 different ex-boyfriends. In DECEMBER, no less. Alas, the regrets of young, unrequited love and flighty teenage emotions. I should not have been allowed to drink coffee at such a young age. (That's right, blame your parents, Kara. Ha!) At any rate, "Back to December" is a lovely, lovely song with a plenty of overbearing string accompaniment and a melancholy tone. I love songs like that (See also: "The Lovers are Losing" by Keane)

True, there is a reference to "texting" in the song, but only briefly; let's just ignore that.

Hooray for Taylor Swift!

My Doppelganger?

Sometimes this woman hits just a LEETLE too close to home...but I still love these funny Target commercials. Art imitating life, indeed!

Signs of the Season

1. One of two of our nativity scenes...however the Saviour will not be making an appearance in our diorama until the 25th, as directed by Mr. Morris.

2a. Our holly tree with its winter blanket and crimson berries!

2b. Berry close-up!

3. Christmas presents given and received. Have a look at these lovely Jo Malone soaps from bestie, Homa.

4a. Peanut's Christmas Cut, courtesy of Nancy at the Sawmill Petsmart.

4b. Holiday Bow Close Up!

Here's to keeping those bows in place until the Saviour shows His face! :)

On Sunday Nights...

...I get weepy because Jeremy has to leave...

(its okay, he'll be back soon)

...I stare at my planner trying to hyper-organize the week ahead...

(Boots from repair shop! Workout? Christmas cards! )

...I pray for the motivation to complete all the things I've planned...

(Dear Lord, please give me the strength to not press snooze this week)

...I go to bed early counting my blessings from a great weekend!

Oh! And I watch The Wizard of Oz on TV and snuggle with Peanut.

She misses Jeremy, too.

Thankful For...

1. A happy and healthy family--pets and all.

2. Not ONE but TWO jobs that I love!

3. Little challenges that present themselves, so that I may grow stronger, smarter, and more confident. GROW or GROAN.

4. Faith in our Heavenly Father.

5. The Morris family's non-traditional pre-Thanksgiving dinner HERE!

6. Long holiday weekends to spend with this hottie!

7. Successfully preparing my first suffering-free Thanksgiving turkey! In the past, I'd only done a turkey breast. This year we went all out! I was a little nervous, but the turkey was marvelous! See the pictures below!

8. Yummy Thanksgiving celebration spent with Beth, Tim, AJ & Jeremy! (See #7!)

9. A busy, busy holiday schedule. December is going to fly by! We have something every weekend...including the annual CSO Holiday Pops!

10. Elastic-waisted pants and my Urban Active workout dates with Katie. After all of these thankful things, I am going to need them both!

Happy Holidays, all!